Saint Martin's College Commencement will be May 11
Friday, May 3, 2002
Lacey, Wash. - FBI Special Agent Michael
A. Mason, who has devoted his life to public service and was Watch
Commander of the agency’s Strategic Information Operations Center
following the events of September 11, will address the Saint Martin’s
College Class of 2002 at its Commencement Convocation Saturday, May 11.
Commencement ceremonies begin at 1 p.m. at Saint Martin’s Pavilion,
5300 Pacific Ave. S.E.
In
his message, “I Build Cathedrals,” Mason will speak about the
significance of the contributions we make to society and how seemingly
insignificant gifts contribute to the greater good.
Mason will speak shortly before degrees
are conferred on the Class of 2002. Also speaking will be class
Co-Valedictorians Aaron A. Goings of Aberdeen and Jonathan D. Wood of
East Olympia. Both have maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Salutatorian and student body president Emily B. Thomas of Dufur, Ore.,
will represent the Class of 2002 as class speaker. (Please see brief
Commencement biographies below.)
The Class of 2002 is composed of students
who completed degree requirements in May and December 2001, as well as
those who will do so in August. It also contains those enrolled at the
college’s main campus in Lacey and its two extension campuses
at Fort Lewis Army Post and McChord Air Force Base.
Saint Martin’s College is an
independent, Roman Catholic coeducational college offering a full range
of baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. About 1,000 students are
enrolled on its main campus and about 600 more in courses offered at its
extension campuses.
Saint Martin's College Commencement
biographies
Aaron Anthony Goings
Co-valedictorian - Class of 2002
Co-valedictorian Aaron Anthony Goings of
Aberdeen has accomplished what only a select few achieve in their
academic career: a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Goings, who is
graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in political science,
transferred to Saint Martin’s College from Grays Harbor College, where
he was also valedictorian of his class.
At Saint Martin's, Goings has been active
in Alpha Sigma Chi fraternity and the Society of Fellows, the college's
honor society. He has served as an intern with the Washington State
Senate and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial
Organizations. He recently became the first recipient of the Father
Jerome Toner, O.S.B., Award for outstanding achievement in student
activism. His career at Saint Martin's has been highlighted by a large
amount of original research on labor history. Following graduation,
Goings will attend The Evergreen State College to continue his research
before beginning graduate school.
He credits his academic success to the
mentorship of Saint Martin’s faculty member Dr. Roger Snider and to
the support of his family, especially his parents, Christine and Michael
Goings, and his grandmother Nina Archie.
Jonathan D. Wood
Co-valedictorian - Class of 2002
Jonathan Wood of East Olympia shares the
distinction of having achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average during
his college career. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in elementary
education with endorsements in English and early childhood education in
December 2001.
A transfer student from South Puget Sound
Community College, Wood was born in 1977 in Seattle and grew up in
Lacey, except for a brief stint in Massachusetts. He was home-schooled
by his parents, Ish Wood of Shoreline and Donna Young of Pierce County.
Wood says it was through watching them in the classroom that he became
inspired to teach.
Wood enjoys acting and has been involved
with community theater presentations in past years.
He says the support of his wife, Eve, and his father enabled him to
finish college. Wood, who is working out this school year as a
substitute teacher, says he will always love learning alongside
children. His goal is to be a successful teacher.
Emily B. Thomas
Salutatorian, Class Speaker - Class of 2002
Emily B. Thomas, 2002’s Class Speaker,
is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration.
The daughter of Bill and Barbara Thomas, she hails from the small Oregon
farming community of Dufur.
She says she has been blessed with
incredible opportunities for personal growth during her four years as a
Saint Martin’s student. She served this year as president of the
Associated Students of Saint Martin’s College, the student government.
Last year, she was ASSMC’s senator of community services. She is a
member of the track and cross country teams, a participant in numerous
service projects, including community service trips to Mexico, and was a
residence hall advisor. She recently won a scholarship from Japan’s
Mukogawa Women’s University to participate in its summer Japanese
Culture Studies Program for American college women. Last year, she was a
member of the college’s annual Japan Cultural Exchange.
Thomas, who has a concentration in
marketing and a minor in psychology, received the business and economic
division’s coveted Wall Street Journal Award for academic achievement
and plans a career in accounts management with a marketing or
advertising agency. She hopes her career will take her to the land of
her heart, Colorado. She also wants to continue traveling and someday
become a wife and mother. An active member in Campus Ministry, she also
plans to remain involved in youth ministry activities.
Michael A. Mason, Special Agent in
Charge, Sacramento Division, FBI
Commencement Speaker
Michael A. Mason has spent his career
serving his nation, first as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, and
since 1985, as an employee of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Mason earned his baccalaureate degree in
accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. He was
commissioned to the Marine Corps as a platoon commander in 1980,
attaining the rank of captain before separating from the Marines five
years later. In January 1985, he was appointed by the FBI as a special
agent. Since that time, his career with the agency has included service
as a supervisor, field supervisor, section chief and, from December 2001
until recently, special assistant to the director.
He has worked as an undercover agent in
numerous narcotics investigations; was case agent on the successful
resolution of a kidnapping and apprehended two murderers in Hartford,
Conn. He successfully investigated numerous public corruption matters
and supervised the investigation of the murder of Dr. Bernard Slepian
and a subsequent investigation to locate an FBI Top Ten Fugitive.
Following the tragic events of September 11, Mason served as Watch
Commander of the agency’s Strategic Information Operations Center.
Earlier this month, Mason was appointed Special Agent in Charge,
Sacramento Division, FBI.
For more information:
May 3, 2002 Mary Law
Registrar
360-438-4356 or marylaw@stmartin.edu
Holly Harmon, director of communication
Saint Martin’s Office of Communication
360-438-4332 or hharmon@stmartin.edu